Home is a place where you're cared for
When walking into the two bedroom apartment that Paula and her six year old daughter share you wouldn’t know that a few short months ago they were homeless. Paula and her daughter were sheltered at Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio’s Crossroads Homeless Services Center. Paula is grateful that a transitional housing unit was open when they had nowhere to go. “It’s scary to think that you and your child may be on the street,” states Paula. “Thank God Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio was there when we needed them.
Paula and her daughter are both disabled and now both receive Social Security and have permanent housing of their own. Help doesn’t come over night. It took them three long years to receive benefits; they had exhausted every resource available to them. They stayed with family and friends until the burden became too much. “Everyone we know was struggling. Until you are homeless, with absolutely no place else to turn, you cannot know the feeling of hopelessness and despair, especially for a mom who’s fundamental role is to care for her child,” states Paula. “We came to Crossroads for a place to stay and what we found was a home, a place where we were cared for”, says Paula.
Paula and her daughter both love their new apartment and are so appreciative that Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio was there. They were given the strength and support that was needed to make their lives whole again. Not only did they receive great care, they always knew they were cared about. “They were even able to help us out with the security deposit for our new place and helped us to get furniture.”
Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio tries to think of everything from ensuring that families and individuals make it to needed doctors’ appointments and disability hearings to providing school clothes and Christmas gifts to children. Homelessness doesn’t have to be tragic; it can be a nurturing positive life change that puts families back on their feet and back into permanent housing. Being there when we are needed is what Volunteers of America Northwest Ohio does everyday, they create a home where people are cared for.